CLEMSON — Before Clemson held its first practice of fall camp Thursday afternoon, Dabo Swinney met with the media for one final update on the state of the program. From encouraging injury news to the ongoing emphasis on player development and an open competition across the roster, Swinney touched on several topics that will shape the Tigers over the next month.
Here are three of the biggest takeaways from Clemson's opening press conference of fall camp.
Encouraging News on Hevin Brown-Shuler, But Two Tigers Face Long Rehabs
The biggest update of the afternoon came off the field.
Swinney opened his press conference with encouraging news on defensive tackle Hevin Brown-Shuler, saying the sophomore continues to respond well to treatment after his cancer diagnosis earlier this summer.
"He's doing amazing," Swinney said. "The treatment's working... His body is really responding well."
Brown-Shuler has remained around the program throughout the summer and continues to attend team activities despite being unable to practice.
"You're gonna see him. He's been here really every day. He's part of camp, doing everything he needs to do," Swinney said. "He's got a long way to go, but so far his body is really responding well. So that's encouraging."
While that news was positive, Swinney also announced freshman offensive lineman Adam Guthrie is expected to miss the season after suffering a torn meniscus during a workout. Because Guthrie was already dealing with another injury dating back to high school, Clemson's medical staff opted to address both issues while he rehabs.
Reserve running back Peyton Streko is also expected to be a long-term absence after undergoing surgery.
Outside of those situations, Swinney said Clemson enters camp in good health and credited the Tigers' strength and conditioning staff for preparing the roster over the last eight months.
Jaheim Lawson Becomes Clemson's Latest Development Success Story
When asked which players impressed him during summer workouts, Swinney declined to single out weight-room winners.
Instead, he pointed to defensive end Jahiem Lawson as the perfect example of what Clemson's development model is designed to produce.
Lawson arrived at Clemson weighing around 208 pounds and wasn't considered one of the nation's elite recruits. After redshirting and spending his first two seasons developing physically, he emerged as a key contributor last season.
Now, Lawson has transformed himself into a 251-pound defensive end.
"He's a freaking brick house," Swinney said.
Swinney added that Lawson "will get drafted next year" if he stays healthy, crediting both Lawson's commitment and Clemson's player development.
"We've evaluated well, we've developed well and we've retained well," Swinney said, calling Lawson "the epitome of what this program is all about."
For a program that has long built its identity on developing players over multiple years, Lawson has become the latest example Swinney points to when explaining Clemson's formula for success.
"There Ain't Nobody Starting"
Perhaps the most telling comment of the afternoon came when Swinney was asked about position battles entering camp.
His answer was simple.
"I don't have any starters," Swinney said. "There ain't nobody starting."
While someone has to take the first snap during Thursday's practice, Swinney said every position will be evaluated daily, and first-team reps must be earned rather than assumed.
"If you run out there first tomorrow, then that's because you earned it today, not because we just think you're supposed to be the best one," he said.
That philosophy extends across the roster.
At quarterback, Swinney praised the physical tools of freshman Tait Reynolds while also saying Brock Bradley has made significant strides since arriving in January. He also expressed excitement to finally see transfer defensive tackle Andy Burburija in live practice and spoke highly of the competition developing in the tight end room, where Logan Brooking, Christian Bentancur, Olsen Patt-Henry and Charlie Johnson all earned praise.
With 30 days until Clemson opens the season at LSU, Swinney said camp is about determining who earns those opportunities on the field.
"We've got a lot of competition," Swinney said. "We're going to evaluate them every day."
